Meet the Palmetto Sharpshooters N-SSA
- Thread starter dave951
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I thought Col. Mikah Jenkins' Palmetto Sharp Shooters were armed with the P53 Enfield. If that's N-SSA, you're lucky to be in a region that has them. They're not here in the Midwest (Coloradostan).
Two companies of the Palmetto Sharp Shooters were detached and fought alongside the Georgians who defended the Rohrbach Bridge at Antietam/Sharpsburg.
Two companies of the Palmetto Sharp Shooters were detached and fought alongside the Georgians who defended the Rohrbach Bridge at Antietam/Sharpsburg.
AlexanderA
Member
What's the Yankee First Sergeant doing in the front row center of the first picture? 
What Yankee?What's the Yankee First Sergeant doing in the front row center of the first picture?
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He's a prisoner of war. Next question.What's the Yankee First Sergeant doing in the front row center of the first picture?
I never even noticed as I was looking at the fyre-arms.
hawg
Member
Awrighty then, callin' a feller a gosh darn blue belly is purt nigh to fightin' words
But more seriously, I do believe Jenkin's Brigade (the Palmetto Sharpshooters) were generally armed with the P53, BUT like I said, we aren't reenactors and if it's legal for competition, we're gonna use it. In general, the 3 band muskets are at a disadvantage to the 2 bands. Part is ballistics, part ergonomics. A 2 band is a tad quicker to reload, less susceptible to "wobble" in breezy conditions and just plain handles better. For ballistics, and this is anecdotal, 3 bands just aren't as accurate and that could be from a number of reasons.
But more seriously, I do believe Jenkin's Brigade (the Palmetto Sharpshooters) were generally armed with the P53, BUT like I said, we aren't reenactors and if it's legal for competition, we're gonna use it. In general, the 3 band muskets are at a disadvantage to the 2 bands. Part is ballistics, part ergonomics. A 2 band is a tad quicker to reload, less susceptible to "wobble" in breezy conditions and just plain handles better. For ballistics, and this is anecdotal, 3 bands just aren't as accurate and that could be from a number of reasons.
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2002
- Messages
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Blame Matthew Brady and other picturre takerrs of the era. Pop guns, prrop swords to make the man more ferocious and improves his military bearing. He can tell his children that he capturerd all those Rebels and that they were posing with him. Alternatively, he could say they all got drunk, had a card game and he won so they became his prisoners.And they were nice enough to let him keep his sword.
The two band shorter sergeant's rifle (or short rifle) was reserved for the sharpshooter battalions in the ANV and the AoT.
Wellllll, the NCO sword and sash was issue and part of being a 1st Sgt and higher and is still part of the full dress NCO uniform on ceremonial occasions. The 1st Sgt had a worsted wool sash in red with the authorized M1840 sword and baldric. Did they carry them into battle? There's a few accounts of that happening but for the most part, no. As a former reenactor, I can say this about photos, using them as source "evidence" is not a good thing. Many were staged and many have been lost. Far, far better is 1st person accounts, reading quartermaster records, and stuff in museums. You'd be amazed at what will turn up. Part of a recent conversation on this was that folks haven't changed a bit in their wants, habits and vices, only the date and the means.
AlexanderA
Member
All very true.
A further wrinkle on the M1840 NCO sword was that the same sword could be carried in a different scabbard, depending on the NCO's rank. For a company First Sergeant, it would be carried in the brass and leather scabbard, on a shoulder baldric. But for a regimental Sergeant Major, the sword would be promoted to an all-metal scabbard with two rings, suspended from the belt with slings (like an officer's sword). At least according to regulations, on the federal side.
The NCO swords were rarely carried on the battlefield, in any case.
Appalachiannative
Member
Thanks to you Dave I found NSSA joined the Buncombe Rifles instead of your team but thanks for introducing me to this
Glad to hear you took the plunge! This is one seriously addictive kind of fun!
AlexanderA
Member
The N-SSA Spring Nationals (in Winchester, Va.) are coming up May 16-19. The sutler area is always a bonanza for collectors. I'm going to try to make it this year.
